as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom. 6: 13.

If God has my members as weapons and instruments in his hands, I shall certainly be able not only to work, but also to conquer, since he understands full well how to manage them. May the Lord only give me grace not to wind myself out of his hands, else I must needs be like a dead, useless carcass; for how can a pen write alone, without being in the hand of a writer? It is true, indeed, that it is very hard, nay, impossible, to be really good, and to do all that is good, if we undertake it alone; but God himself living and working in us, and we truly delighting in him, it is very easy and pleasant. Therefore care is only to be taken that our hearts may be always the working-place, and our members the instruments of God, in which and through which he can perform every thing himself.

Now God I serve; to him alone
My thankful homage pay;
My only master, Christ, I own,
And him will I obey.

To him my members I present,
Which he will not refuse;
The meanest, basest instrument
His glory deigns to use.

Servant of sin too long I was,
But Christ has set me free;
Glory to his victorious grace,
Which freely ransomed me.

Prov. 29: 25.

31. The fear of man bringeth a snare. Be not conformed to this world. Rom. 12:2. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John, 2: 15.

How many people swell with pride and vanity for such things as they would not know how to value at all, but that they are admired in the world. How fearful are many of having their houses poorly furnished, or themselves meanly clothed, for this only reason, lest the world should make no account of them, and place them among low and mean people. How often would a man have yielded to the haughtiness and ill-nature of others, and shown a submissive temper, but that he dares not pass for such a poor-spirited man in the opinion of the world. Many a man would often drop a resentment, and forgive an affront, but that he is afraid, if he should, the world would not forgive him. How many wish to be real Christians, and would carefully practise Christian temperance and sobriety, were it not for the censure which the world passes upon such a life. Others have frequent intentions of living

up to the rules of the Christian religion, which they are frightened from by considering what the world would say of them. Thus does the impression which we have received from living in the world enslave our minds, so that we dare not attempt to be eminent in the sight of God and holy angels, for fear of being little in the eyes of the world. Reader, how is it with thee? Art thou still hanging between God and the world? Consider, for a moment; what can the world give thee in exchange for the favor of God? What can it help thee in sickness, death, and judgment? Make serious reflection on this with prayer unto God, and the snares of the world will be broken.

Lord, save me from the fear of man,
Which surely brings a snare;

And make me hear their scoffs and jes's
With unconcerned ear.

NOVEMBER.

1. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth. Dan. 9:23. Continuing instant in prayer. Rom. 12: 12.

Он, comfortable and encouraging thought, that in the same moment that the supplication ascended from the prophet's heart, the gracious answer descended from the heart of Jesus. When we call upon the name of the Lord with simplicity and holy earnestness of soul, the return of grace and love meets our request before it hath ascended half way to heaven; and when the Lord is going to bless us, he pours out a spirit of prayer, and raises a cry in our hearts after that particular blessing he is going to communicate. Therefore, when we are enabled to pray earnestly, we may be sure that blessings are coming, and that we shall certainly receive, in due time, a seasonable and visible help. Then let us only go on, and put, as it were, one weight of prayers after another upon the scales of the sanctuary; surely, our greatest distress will at last be overbalanced, and salvation brought down. But it is well to observe, that we must also be watchful, and not act contrary to the intent of our prayers,

which might provoke the Lord to disannul his grant, or at least to delay his help. But when he tarries long, it is not his intention to give us a denial, but rather to make us more desirous and earnest, that he may bestow the more upon us afterwards; for this delay he will certainly well recompense, and grant us abundantly above all that we could ask or think.

2. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise; she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also to her husband with her, and he did eat. Gen. 3:6. Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. James 1: 14, 15.